Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Cadorette was shot and killed while he and his partner made a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to the officers, the car had been stolen and was being followed by another car driven by a female acquaintance. As his partner talked to driver of the second car the other driver came up to Patrolman Cadorette holding a 9 mm handgun and disarmed him. He then held Patrolman Cadorette as a human shield and told the officer to shine his flashlight on his partner Patrolman Cadorette instead turned in an attempt to disarm the gunman and was shot in the chest. His partner was able to return fire, killing the suspect, but was also struck in the chest twice and seriously wounded. The wounded officer was able to make it back to his patrol car and call for backup. The two officers were the only Ashland officers on duty that night and had to wait for officers from neighboring agencies to find the location.
Survivors
Patrolman Cadorette had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-31FB86CD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Charles is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cadorette gave the Ashland Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cadorette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles E. Cadorette served in the U.S. Army (1945â1948) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Charles E. Cadorette is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ashland Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles E. Cadorette's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Cadorette Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Cadorette is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Cadorette was killed by handgun.
Military Service
Charles E. Cadorette served in the U.S. Army (1945–1948) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles E. Cadorette’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ashland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
